Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Paint, coat, or decorate articles, such as furniture, glass, plateware, pottery, jewelry, toys, books, or leather.
Also called: Air Brush Decorator, Air Brush Operator, Airbrush Painter, Art Gilder, Auto Body Painter (Automotive Body Painter), Babbitter
Median pay
$41,600
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$31,470 – $60,820
People employed
7,940
Holland code
RAC
Realistic · Artistic · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 3.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 4.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 5.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 6.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (37 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary in every state →
What painting, coating, and decorating workers do
- 01Apply coatings, such as paint, ink, or lacquer, to protect or decorate workpiece surfaces, using spray guns, pens, or brushes.
- 02Examine finished surfaces of workpieces to verify conformance to specifications and retouch any defective areas.
- 03Select and mix ingredients to prepare coating substances according to specifications, using paddles or mechanical mixers.
- 04Place coated workpieces in ovens or dryers for specified times to dry or harden finishes.
- 05Clean and maintain tools and equipment, using solvents, brushes, and rags.
- 06Read job orders and inspect workpieces to determine work procedures and materials required.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Design
Work styles that stand out
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from painting, coating, and decorating workers
- Furniture Finishers85% · +7%
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance84% · +19%
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers76% · −16%
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers74% · −9%
- Carpet Installers73% · +21%
Change into painting, coating, and decorating workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Furniture Finishers85% · $44,540
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers83% · $34,890
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance81% · $49,400
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners79% · $35,510
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers78% · $37,800